Acromag’s PMC-SX boards use a high-performance Xilinx® Virtex-4™ FPGA, but maintain a relatively low price point. They are optimized for high-performance digital signal processing to help you build custom pre/post/co-processing hardware or high-performance filters. You can create more than 40 different functions (MACs, multipliers, adders, and muxes).

Although there is no limit to the uses for Acromag’s FPGA boards, typical applications include sonar and radar processing.

I/O processing is handled on a separate mezzanine card that plugs into the FPGA base board. A variety of these external I/O cards offer an interface for your analog and digital I/O signals. See the AXM I/O Card for more details. Additionally, 64 I/O lines are supported via the rear (J4) connector.

Plenty of DRAM memory is available for receipt and transfer of high-speed data from the I/O data ports on the front and rear of the board. Dual Ported SRAM memory is supplied for storage of data to be passed, via DMA transfer, to the PCI bus. One of the dual ports is attached to the FPGA and the other to the local bus.

As the capacity of FPGA devices increases, the quantity and complexity of application tasks deployed on a single PMC FPGA module likewise increases. As a result, accurate management of all the unique clocks associated with these tasks becomes a very significant challenge for the application developer. In this article, we discuss the tools and constructs...

It is now common to deploy COTS FPGA modules to help speed development cycles and reduce overall project costs. However, to maximize savings when FPGAs are used to perform custom I/O functions, it is very important to first determine the suitability of a particular FPGA module for the application. This determination is dependent upon several factors: The...

Additional information

Description

Application Programming Interface (API)

Acromag’s software development tools greatly simplify the interface between the I/O boards and your application program.

Libraries provide easy-to-use C function routines that quickly integrate with your application. The C functions are ready for use “as-is,” but they are also easily customized for your unique application.

This powerful program lets you fully exercise the libraries and your hardware before running the actual application. These diagnostics will save you hours troubleshooting and debugging your applications. You can set addresses, set up registers, read real-world inputs, or drive outputs. The demonstration program steps you through the exact functions that are called in your application.

Target any CPU

Acromag provides direct support for VxWorks when using PowerPC, x86 and 68000 CPU boards. The VxWorks C Library includes support for x86 PCI, MV167 and MV2700 CPU boards. Each library contains detailed information on integrating with the CPU’s Board Support Package (BSP). The libraries also include instructions for implementing this software with other manufacturer’s CPU board BSPs. Use with Industry Pack carriers from third-party board vendors is also supported.

The IPSW-API-VXW library package offers support for Acromag carriers. Other carriers are compatible, but require some minor modifications. Acromag uses a very innovative modular programming technique. This allows new carrier files to be created without affecting any of the complex IP module files or interrupt service routines.

User-Friendly Licensing

Acromag’s VxWorks software libraries are provided with a full site license. This allows anyone at your location to use this software without any additional charges. Additionally, no run-time license is required either.

The VxWorks software libraries include support for the full family of boards or modules, not just certain models unless otherwise noted.

Tech Papers

As the capacity of FPGA devices increases, the quantity and complexity of application tasks deployed on a single PMC FPGA module likewise increases. As a result, accurate management of all the unique clocks associated with these tasks becomes a very significant challenge for the application developer. In this article, we discuss the tools and constructs...

It is now common to deploy COTS FPGA modules to help speed development cycles and reduce overall project costs. However, to maximize savings when FPGAs are used to perform custom I/O functions, it is very important to first determine the suitability of a particular FPGA module for the application. This determination is dependent upon several factors: The...